New ImageCourtly Homes Inc., which wants to...

New Image

Courtly Homes Inc., which wants to develop about half of the 2,350-home Dos Vientos Ranch in Thousand Oaks, has hired a public relations firm to boost its community image (B1). . . . The firm, Carl Terzian Associates, recently helped a developer win overwhelming community support for a 652-home project in Simi Valley’s Long Canyon.

Czech Mate

On her way to league tennis titles and an undefeated season for Rio Mesa High, Zuzana Stunova has learned what it takes to get along in America since leaving her native Czech Republic: English (C10). . . . “It was pretty hard when I first came here because my English was very bad,” said Zuzana, who came as a foreign-exchange student two years ago. “Now I think in English.”

Death Penalty

Prosecutors on Friday announced they will seek the death penalty against Michael Dally, above, and Diana Haun, accused of the kidnap-murder of Dally’s wife (B1). . . . In a one-page statement, Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury said the pair will remain in custody without bail pending trial, which is set for Feb. 3. . . . Dally and Haun are accused of plotting and carrying out the murder of Sherri Dally in May.

Labor Gains

Holiday surges in retail employment helped to keep Ventura County’s unemployment relatively steady in November (B1). . . . The county’s unemployment rate, 7.4% in November, showed a slight increase from the previous month but was considerably improved from November 1995, when it climbed to 8.4%.